The Buffalo Sabres Five Straight Losses Is No Cause For Panic
The Buffalo Sabres have lost five straight games after having their historic ten game winning streak, but these losses are not a reason to panic just yet.
Yes, the Buffalo Sabres were beaten down yesterday afternoon by the Flyers by a score of 6-2, and there was a lot to be left looking for in that game. While they had a hot start with Jack Eichel scoring the first two goals, the defensive collapse and poor offensive zone play eventually led to the flyers 6 straight goal rally. The power play was flat and useless, and defenseman Matt Tennyson was undoubtedly the worst Sabre on the ice. He looked out of place and was beaten on nearly every play he was involved in.
Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel said in the post game:
"We’ve gotta realize, we haven’t earned anything in this league. Just because we won a couple of games, doesn’t mean we are just going to put our skates on and go out there and win.”– Jack Eichel (sabres.com)We’ve gotta realize, we haven’t earned anything in this league. Just because we won a couple of games, doesn’t mean we are just going to put our skates on and go out there and win.”– Jack Eichel (sabres.com)"
This take by the Sabres captain is true in so many regards. This team has been at the bottom of the league for years now. While the ten game winning streak was something amazing to cheer for and enjoy, that streak is over now. Yes they are the same team, but with key injuries, the Sabres blue line is hurting. They have proven that they can win games and that is something to still cheer for, absolutely, however they still have a lot to learn and accomplish before they can be considered a serious contending team.
Yes, this five game losing streak is nothing fun to be a part of or watch, but let’s look at the positives: They stood toe-to-toe with the three best teams in the league and only lost by a goal each time, the offense has shown that they have the ability to score consistently, the defense is steady on the back end when healthy, and Carter Hutton has been everything he needs to be in order for the Buffalo Sabres to have a chance to win every night. Is he an elite goaltender? No, but he is good enough to get them a win almost every night.
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Besides, some of the considered-to-be-elite goaltenders in the league (i.e Carey Price, Jonathan Quick, Tuukka Rask) are all posting sub par numbers this season. I’ll take Hutton’s numbers along with his record for the price he came here, any day.
A player that struggled a bit to start the season, but is finding his offensive side recently is Sam Reinhart. Reinhart has posted 9 points in his current 6 game point streak, and 5 of those points are goals. Since his promotion to the top line, his play alongside Captain and friend Jack Eichel has sparked the offensive upside that is inherent in him.
Yes, I will admit his play last night was a little sub par, and his poor blind backhand pass into Claude Giroux led to a costly shorthanded goal, but those kinds of plays are not typical for him. Reinhart is a hard working player along the boards, and he takes a lot of punishment being one of the few players that actually stands in front of the net. Combine his net front presence with his elite playmaking ability, and it will make for solid continued production for the remainder of the season. In 30 games this season, Sam Reinhart has 25 points (8G, 17A) which is ranked third on the team in points behind Jack Eichel (36 points) and Jeff Skinner (30 points). This puts him on pace to beat his career best 50 points he scored last season.
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The Buffalo Sabres have dropped off from their hot streak for sure, but there are plenty of good things going for them right now. There is absolutely no reason to start panicking, or trading half the team away (looking at some of those NHL 19 armchair GMs). This team has the tools and the pieces to win games, and once they find that stride again, there will be plenty to cheer for again.